Service Wednesday for former Kalamazoo County Commissioner Fred Ruden, who died Sunday

KALAMAZOO — A funeral service will be held Wednesday for former Kalamazoo County Commissioner Fred Ruden, who died Sunday.

Ruden, who was a strong advocate for those with mental illness, served on the board from 1993 to 1994.

The Kalamazoo resident had a mental disorder and ran for public office, said Kalamazoo County Commissioner Brian Johnson, who befriended Ruden in the 1980s. Ruden openly talked about how he had manic-depression, which led to severe mood swings.

"He's a a living example as to why there should not be a stigma (to mental illness)," Johnson said.

There is no scheduled visitation, but a funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Jewish Riverside Cemetery, 1015 Gull Road, in Kalamazoo. Langeland Family Funeral Homes Memorial Chapel is handling the arrangements.